Restoration of parkland’s historic gem is completed

IT IS one of the most eye-catching buildings in the glorious parkland overlooked by North Yorkshire’s Scampston Hall.

Now the Palladian Bridge, designed by landscape architect ‘Capability’ Brown in the late 18th century, has reopened to members of the public who visit the stately home near Malton.

A six-month restoration project supported by Natural England saw the pillars of the bridge stripped of their sand finish and dismantled, before being repaired and repainted.

Extensive repairs were also carried out to the roof, back wall of the structure and lead decorations, while a hidden plunge pool at the back of the bridge, historically used for bathing, was emptied and cleaned to reveal a brickwork finish in its base.

Scampston owner Chris Legard said: “It is so satisfying to see this wonderful structure being given a new lease of life and to know that, thanks to the generous support of Natural England, it will continue to give many people pleasure for generations to come.

“Capability Brown’s Palladian Bridge is the most surprising and eye-catching building we have here and is something of an ‘odd one out’, but that is also why it’s so magnificent – when you come around a corner and it is revealed to you – it is a beautiful surprise.”

The project was managed by building conservator Nigel Copsey and conservation stonemason Sam Baxter, and made possible due to a stewardship agreement with Higher Level Stewardship Agreement.